By Peter Scherer

Five successive wins and now fourth in the table, so are you coming to the Don Amott Arena for your Tuesday night feast of football as we take on Stourbridge?

Stourbridge are currently 14^th in the Southern Premier League Central table, but didn’t have a game last Saturday. They beat Ilkeston away 2-0 in their last game and are undefeated in their last four.

Joint manager Leon Broadhurst and Stuart Pierpoint have been in charge since October last and are both still registered to play.

Centre back Broadhurst is the clubs record appearance holder on 780, spending 10 years at the club before moving to Bromsgrove.

Pierpoint is also a centre back who has also played for Oldbury Utd, Sutton Coldfield, Halesowen, Stafford, Nuneaton, Solihull, Leamington and Brackley before a four-year stay at Stourbridge from July 2015. He was at Coalville before returning to our visitors.

Goalkeeper Charlie Price is in his second spell at the club, having left to join Alvechurch in June 2016, before returning three years later. 

Defender Joel Kettle is in his second spell at the club too. He started out with Sutton Coldfield before joining Stourbridge in August 2014. His career then took him to Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield, Rushall, Solihull, Tamworth and Nuneaton, before joining our visitors pre-season from Bromsgrove.

Striker Darryl Knights is a  former Ipswich Junior he was capped by England at Under 16 and 17 and was loaned to Yeovil, before joining Kidderminster on his release.

Solihull was his next stop, then Newport and Solihull before returning to Kidderminster. After a spell at Tamworth, he had two years at Telford, before coming to Stourbridge in July 2020.

Full back Jack Wilson was another signing from Bromsgrove back in September 2021. He had made 200 appearances before his move and had a brief loan spell at Lichfield City too.

Jason Cowley is a striker who came from Bromsgrove too in July last year. He started out at Redditch, before a first spell at Bromsgrove preceded a move to Stevenage. He was loaned to Solihull and on release he had a month at Macclesfield, before rejoining Bromsgrove.

Midfielder Reece King arrived from Buxton in July last year. He started his career at Malvern Town, before moving on to Gloucester City and Hednesford. After a spell at Leamington, he rejoined Hednesford, before going to Buxton in February 2020.

Joe Hull is another returnee having arrived for his second spell from Alvechurch last December. He started out at Kidderminster, before moving to Redditch in 2010. Further moves took him to Hinckley Utd and Stourport Swifts, before returning to Redditch.

He first came to Stourbridge in February 2016 after just over three years at Halesowen. But after eight months and a loan at Tividale, he moved to Rushall Olympic, Bromsgrove and finally Alvechurch.

Lee Vaughan had been first choice right back but has recently lost his place to new signing Tyler Lyttle. Vaughan was an academy player at Birmingham City and Portsmouth, before joining Chelmsley, from where he was spotted by Walsall.

He played over 45 first team games and was loaned to Willenhall, before joining Telford on his release. Moving on to Cheltenham, Tranmere and back to Kidderminster, he came to Stourbridge in July last year from Barnet, after a spell at Solihull and a return trip to Telford.

Midfielder Callum Gittings came from Leamington in pre-season. After starting at Alvechurch, he also played for Kidderminster, Solihull and Telford. 

Former Walsall Academy midfielder Alex Moore joined Wolverhampton Casuals and Shifnal Town after his release, before stepping back up the ladder to Bromsgrove and Rushall Olympic. He had three years at Rushall before joining Stourbridge pre-season.

Midfielder Harry Lewis made his first team debut last season, after coming through the clubs academy. He has also had a few games for Team Dudley and has started three of Stourbridges’s games this season.

Rackeem Reid is a striker that came from Rushall pre-season. He initially played for Chasetown and Paget Rangers before going to Nottingham University. He moved on to Belper Town and Long Eaton, before joining Quorn for 2019/20.

Centre Back Chris Knight is in his third spell at Stourbridge. He first joined them in July 2012 from Dudley, moved onto Lye Town but returned in July 2017. After going back to Lye and latterly Wulfrunians, he signed for our visitors again in pre-season.

Reece Stryche is both an England C and current Gibralatarian International, having scored three goals in 27 games for the latter.

He came from Hednesford in September last year, having played for a huge raft of clubs in his 14 year career, including Buxton, Alfreton, Darlington, Macclesfield and Wycombe, having started out at Hednesford.

Moussa Koita is a midfielder. He was signed after an early pre-season trial, having previously played for Team Dudley.

Defender Alex Worley is an ex Walsall Junior, who was at Haverfordwest last season. He was another pre-season signing and has made one start so far.

Tyler Lyttle is the most recent signing. The former Wolves and Bristol Rovers Junior is the son of ex Forest defender Des.

He made three first team starts at Bristol and was loaned to Nuneaton and Truro, before joining Hednesford on his release. He was at Sutton Coldfield prior to joining Rushall, where he spent the last four years.

Striker Greg Mills was a former Rams Junior, and had loans at Solihull and Macclesfield and Telford, before making his Telford move permanent. Worcester, Boston Utd, Barrow, Kings Lynn, Corby, Tamworth, Nuneaton and Darlington are also on his CV, before he came to Stourbridge in 2018.

After just over a year he moved to Bromsgrove and returned to our visitors in July 2020. He has been on the bench this season, but is yet to make a start.

Ethan Moran is a young midfielder yet to start this season. He started out at Worcester City, before moving to Malvern Town. He has also had spells in Kidderminster’s Academy and at Lye Town and joined Stourbridge in August last year.

Lewis Solly is both reserve goalkeeper and coach. An ex Wolves and Bury player, he played for Welshpool and Aberystwyth, before moving back to the midlands with Stafford Rangers.  He was then at Telford and Redditch and first came to Stourbridge in 2005 from Hednesford, and stayed eight years before moving to Rushall. He moved onto Worcester but had time out with an injury and has been back at Stourbridge since the end of last season, having made over 350 appearances.

7.45pm kick off as usual, the bar will be open and the forecast is and 11 degrees. So BE THERE!!

By Peter Scherer

Mickleover made it five successive wins after their 2-0 success at home to Bedford Town, moving them into fourth place in the Southern Premier League Central Division.

Gaffer John McGrath was able to name the same starting line-up that beat Basford Utd last Tuesday, 1-Jonathan Hedge 2-Lucas Yeomans 3-Rhys Dolan 4- Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Mitchell Rose 9-Elliott Reeves 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Oli Greaves. Subs: Phil Watt, Lekan Osideko, Pablo Mills, Joe Bateman, Mason Warren.

The game started with a fairly swift pace from Mickleover, with Reeves going clear after five minutes, but his fairly tame shot was easily taken by keeper Alex Street.

Five minutes later Charley Sanders hit the post with a header for the visitors, before Beavon collected a cross in the box, only for the Bedford defence to clear the danger.

Sports were moving forward with pace, as Yeomans and Dolan pushed down the wings and the midfield of Wilson, Rose and Greaves looked strong.

Reeves was almost through again after 13 minutes, but Sam Dreyer cleared, before Mickleover had two successive short corners before Bedford cleared their lines.

Connor Tomlinson met a Harriman cross after 17 minutes, but his final header was over Hedge’s bar, but Mickleover retaliated in the best possible way after Bedford failed to clear a long throw. Beavon was onto it, a quick turn and shot and was inside the right post 1-0.

Bedford fought back and Hedge had to punch the ball away from a difficult Harriman cross, but then Dales went on one of his trademark runs at the defence, but his shot was wide.

Sanders and Tomlinson combined again for the visitors after 26 minutes, forcing another save from Hedge and three minutes later it was Street’s turn to save, as Mickleover earned another corner.

Bedford were still seeking the equaliser and Jarvis managed to send Sanders clear after 32 minutes, he lobbed Hedge, but Butler was on the line to clear.

Wilson tried a long-range shot but was wide of the mark and a few minutes later Alban-Jones followed suit for Bedford with a similar conclusion.

Bedford had a late corner as the half time whistle was poised, but Mickleover went into the break with their lead well intact.

The second half couldn’t have started better for Mickleover, when in the 47^th minute Dales collected and lobbed the keeper successfully to make it 2-0.

The wind seemed to have gone from Bedford’s sails after the second goal and the play went fairly dormant. Mickleover made two changes just after the hour mark, with Watt on for Yeomans and Warren for Dales.

70 minutes in and Butterworth had a shot from outside the box, pushed wide around the post, followed up by a shot from Richardson again saved by the Mickleover keeper.

Reeves fired a shot across goal a couple of minutes later, just before Bateman came on for Rose.

Tomlinson had another shot blocked for Bedford, but after 79 minutes it was almost a third goal for Mickleover, but Street managed to save a diving header from Reeves.

But Mickleover collected all three points and now move into fourth place in the table, with Stourbridge next in line on Tuesday evening.

By Peter Scherer

Following their tough win over Basford on Tuesday night, Mickleover will be hoping to make it five wins in a row, as newly promoted Bedford Town visit the Don Amott Arena.

Currently 10^th in the table, it’s been a mixed season so far for Gary Setchell’s team, but they have won two of their last four games, drawing 0-0 at Needham Market last time out.

Setchell has been in charge since September 2020, having previously managed Wisbech and Kings Lynn. The former defender had a fairly lengthy playing career before turning to management, and is assisted by Darren Edey, who also served with him at Wisbech.

Keeper Alex Street started at Kings Lynn, but after a loan at Wisbech, went to Spalding, before making a permanent move to Kings Lynn. He was then loaned out again to Leiston, before coming to Bedford in October 2020.

Charley Sanders has spent most of his career in the Eastern side of the country, having started out at Boston Utd. He had loans at Grantham, Kings Lynn and Histon, rejoining Holbeach Utd in 2017 after a couple of years off. Two years at Yaxley then preceded his move to Bedford in October 2020.

Defender Luke Pennell arrived pre-season from Braintree, where he had spent exactly a year since arriving from Hemel. He started at Dunstable, and has also played for Dagenham & Redbridge, Maidstone and Gloucester City. He is currently on loan at Concord Rangers.

Jack Keeble was another summer signing, a centre back who began his career at Grimsby Town. He moved on to Stamford and St Neots and spent a year at Wisbech before joining our visitors.

Sam Dreyer originally came on loan last December from Stevenage, but the centre back’s stay became permanent in September. He also had loan spells at Biggleswade and Hendon.

Left back Sam Warburton was yet another summer signing. An ex-Northampton Town Junior, he started his non-league career at Rugby Town, moving on to Nuneaton, Kings Lynn, Corby and had year with Rushden & Diamonds before his move to Bedford.

Signed only a few weeks ago, right back Michael Harriman is a former Northern Ireland Under 19 and 21 International. He started off at QPR ands was loaned to Wycombe, Gillingham and Luton Town, before a permanent move to Wycombe in 2016. After a three-year lay-off he was at Northampton Town before joining our visitors and has made over 300 appearances during in spells in the Football League.

Midfielder George Thorne is well known locally after his spell with the Rams. His career started at West Bromwich Albion and was loaned to Portsmouth, Peterborough and Watford, before joining Derby in 2014.

He was loaned to Luton again and joined Oxford again after another loan. But injuries ended his full-time career and he came to Bedford in September after two years out. He was capped for England at Under 16,17,18,19 and 20 level.

Will Summerfield is a central midfielder and former MK Dons Junior. He was at Hemel, Kempston Rovers and Berkhamsted, before joining Bedford in July 2020.

Drew Richardson is another central midfielder who arrived in July 2020 too, from Biggleswade. He was a former Luton Town Junior.

Striker Craig Mackail-Smith has been with the club since September 2020. A full Scottish International, he started at St Albans City, moving on to Arlesey and Dagenham & Redbridge, before signing for Peterborough in 2007. After four years at London Road he moved to Brighton, but was loaned back to Peterborough, before joining Wycombe.

Further loans at Notts County and Stevenage followed before his move to Bedford. He played over 150 games in the Championship and over 500 in the football league, scoring 145 goals.

Connor Tomlinson is a young striker who has scored quite a few goals already this season. A former Luton Town Junior, he came to Bedford in July 2019.

Central midfielder Hugh Alban-Jones was a Peterborough Junior, before moving to Spain. During his two-year plus stay he played for Nolveda CF, Fundacion Benidorm, Lorca, Hercules and CD Llanes, joining Bedford on his UK return.

Afolahi Soyemi-Olalade is a striker signed a month ago from Hashtag Utd. He also played for Leatherhead, Romford, Westfield, Margate, Hayes & Yeading, Cheshunt, Grays and Park City Red Wolves in the US.

Diadier Camera is a midfielder on a dual registration with Peterborough Sports. He was at Tooting & Mitcham before moving to Italy with Santa Croce. Further moves to Gladiator and Budoni preceded his UK return.

Winger Kofi Halliday played for Bruno’s Magpies in Gibraltar before a move to Sweden with Stenungsund. He returned to the UK with the Pick Up Academy, moving on to Fleet, Godalming, Hungerford and Hemel, joining Bedford pre-season from Hartley Wintney.

Joe Butterworth is a central midfielder in his second season at Bedford, after arriving from Stamford last November, following almost five years at Yaxley. 

Defender Kai Phelan was a pre-season signing from Barton Rovers. He also played for Hitchin and YIK in Sweden, after playing as a Luton Town Junior.

Experienced midfielder Callum Donnelly first joined Bedford for the 2017/18 season but had brief spells away at Shefford Town & Campton and Biggleswade. He played much of his career at Hitchin and has also been at Stotfold, Barton Rovers, Cambridge City and Baldock. He is currently back at Stotfold on loan.

Previously at Kings Lynn, midfielder Danny Setchell in his third season at Bedford, while reserve keeper Elliott Duffy is a product of the club’s own youth scheme.

Midfielder Josh Page is another home produced player, but has also played in Australia with Perth Scorchers and been loaned to Dunstable Town and Eynesbury Rovers.

Former MK Dons defender Joe Steele was signed from Dunstable in November 2018 and has also played for Arlesey, while midfielder Dan Jarvis is currently on loan from Peterborough Sports. He’s an ex Yaxley, Barton Rovers and Biggleswade player too.

Kick off as usual is 3pm, BE THERE!!

By Peter Scherer

Mickleover haven’t had the best of records against Basford Utd in recent years, but they were able to claim all three points last night in tough uncompromising slog at the Don Amott Arena.

Starting line-up: 1-Jonathan hedge 2-Lucas Yeomans 3-Rhys Dolan 4-Ryan Wilson 5-James Butler 6-Ethan Mann 7-Andy Dales 8-Mitchell Rose 9-Elliott Reeves 10- Stuart Beavon 11-Oliver Greaves. Subs: Phil Watt, Lekan Osideko, Pablo Mills, Joe Bateman, Mason Warren.

A bitterly cold breeze and drizzle in the air, contributed to a poor attendance, but there was plenty of action on the pitch.

After just three minutes Greg Smith put a header just wide of the post for Basford, but a minute later Mickleover’s first real attack paid dividends. A good strong build up saw a cross into the box, which was initially dropped by keeper Keiran Preston. Beavon had a shot blocked, before it fell to Wilson, who made no hesitation in planting it firmly into the roof of the net of his former team, 1-0.

Dales then went on a run and found Greaves, whose shot was saved, before Dolan attacked down the wing, but his cross was just too long.

Basford were on the attack too, but skipper Matt Thornhill’s eighth minute cross was to long too. They continued with some sustained attacking and when Adam Chapman crossed from Basford’s right, Smith was on the receiving end to fire past Hedge for the equaliser after 12 minutes, 1-1.

But it continued almost end to end and Reeves fed Dales, his shot was blocked, then the resulting corner created a goalmouth scramble before the danger was cleared.

14 minutes in and Reeves put a header just wide of the right- hand post from a Wilson free kick, before Smith retaliated with a volley tipped over the bar by Hedge, followed by another shot cleared by Wilson.

With Yeomans and Greaves combining well on the right, Mickleover earned two consecutive corners, before Beavon sent Reeves on a run, but the young striker was fractionally beaten to the ball by the advancing Preston.

The game continued very even with chances at both ends, and after another strong spell from Mickleover and both and Mann solid at the back, Dales charged into the box, but the defence had it covered before he was able to shoot, and then Hedge had to make another diving save, before saving the final header from the following corner.

The referee had give some strange decisions, particularly blatant errors over corners or goal kicks, but on the half-hour  Greaves had another charge down the right and almost broke through.

It preceded another strong period for the Mickleover strike force, with Reeves, Beavon and Dales combining after a Dolan run. Dales then had another attempt over the bar after 34 minutes and seven minutes later Smith put a shot just wide for the visitors. 

Almost on half time Butler came up for a corner, his header went up in the air, but the threat was cleared as the whistle was blown, and it remained level pegging.

The second half started just as lively, with Wilson finding Beavon, who set up Dales, but his shot was over again. But 51 minutes and Dales was interpassing with Greaves, but the latter’s shot didn’t trouble the keeper.

Basford then went on the attack, with Thornhill firing over the bar, before he came through again to force another diving save from Hedge, tipping over the bar.

Smith bundled the ball into the net from the following corner, but with Hedge battered by three Basford players, the goal was disallowed and a free kick given.

On the hour though it changed again, in what was to become the decisive moment in the game. It followed an attack down the right, the ball came into the box and there was another scramble, before Reeves connected and beat Preston from close range, 2-1.

Reeves had another shot blocked four minutes later, after a joint Beavon and Dales attack, but Basford were still threatening, particularly on the break, with Hedge holding on firmly to a shot from the right of the box.

It was close again for Mickleover too when Beavon’s initial 76^th minute effort was blocked, Wilson’s rebound was saved too, before Dales final shot was saved.

Just after Chapman had fired a shot over the bar for Basford, Mickleover made their first change, with Bateman on for Rose, who had struggled to make and impression on the night.

With three minutes on the clock Watt replaced Greaves to, as Basford pushed for a late equaliser.

Watt was penalised when the ref was tricked by Smith. The initial slap of contact from Smith could be heard by the crowd, but as the striker then fell to the ground the ref awarded a free kick. It was of little consequence though, as the kick was nearer the Langley Country Park Housing Estate than the back of Hedge’s net.

Warren made a few seconds cameo appearance to replace Dales, but the after four minutes add on, the whistle finally blew and three points were secured.

By Peter Scherer

With local rivals Basford Utd the visitors, Mickleover host the second of a run of four home games with more Tuesday night action at the Don Amott Arena.

With no game last Saturday, Sports have slipped one place to seventh, with Basford currently two points behind in ninth.

Our visitors went out of the FA Trophy last Saturday to Marine, but have only managed to win one game away from home, 1-0 at Coalville

After away defeats at Redditch and St Ives, Mark Clifford’s side will be looking to return to winning ways too, after their last victory at home to Hednesford 1-0 on October 11^th. But Mickleover will trying to make it four wins in a row.

Goalkeeper Kieran Preston is a former Scotland Under 19 International, whose been at Basford since December 2019. He played his junior football at Nottingham Forest and Bristol Rovers.

Second choice keeper Gianni Musson was in goal for Basford when they Mickleover in the FA Youth Cup in a penalty shootout, having previously been at Derby County, Nottingham Forest and Notts County.

Brad McGowan is a centre back signed from Peterborough Sports in July. He started out at Notts County, before joining Grantham on his release. He then joined Alfreton and was loaned out to Boston Utd before his stay became permanent. He then moved on to Frickley and back to Boston, before a two-year stay at Peterborough.

Josh Barnes was another new arrival pre-season. A former Nottingham Forest junior, the young defensive midfielder had two loans at Truro City, before coming to Basford following his release from Forest.

Right back Dom Roma has sometimes captained the side. He has a long and well-travelled career that started at Sheffield Utd. Loans at Boston and Tamworth were followed by a move to Hinckley Utd, moving on to Alfreton, Harrogate, Gainsborough and Scarborough.

He first came to Basford in July 2017, but after almost two years he returned to Scarborough, only to return to Basford only four months later.

Midfielder Adam Chapman was another pre-season signing. A former Northern Ireland Under 19 and 21 International, he started off at Sheffield Utd. Having moved onto Oxford Utd, loans at Newport and Mansfield followed, before a permanent move to Newport, before returning to Mansfield. He made over 150 League Two appearances, before going non-league with Gainsborough, Boston Utd, Sheffield, Handsworth and Grantham. Then he had nine months at Ilkeston before signing for Basford.

Ben Starkie is a central midfielder and capped by Tanzania at full, under 17 and under 20 levels. He started at Rugby Town before going to Germany with Wilhelmshaven. On returning to the UK he joined Shepshed Dynamo, and had eight months at Spalding Utd before joining Basford in the summer.

Midfielder Matt Thornhill has captained the side for most of this season. Another former Forest Junior, he was loaned to Brighton and Cheltenham, before joining Hibernian in December 2012. 

With 80 league games under his belt, he then joined Buxton, moving on to Shaw Lane and Gainsborough, from where he came to Basford in March 2017.

Striker Anthony Dwyer was another summer signing. He was a Mansfield Town Junior and has been regularly on the move. Stafford, Matlock, Telford, Hednesford, Altrincham, Leamington, Barwell, Tamworth, Glebe, Stourbridge and Alvechurch, before spending nine months at Nuneaton prior to his Basford signing.

Fellow striker Gregg Smith is well-travelled too, since starting off at Corby. Much of his career has been spent in Lincolnshire with Grantham, Stamford, Gainsborough and Boston Utd, with brief stops at Kings Lynn and Tamworth. He arrived in the summer too after his second spell at Spalding.

Centre back Declan Dunn has been at Basford for just over two years since his release from Notts County, while Zimbabwean striker Lither Munakandafa is currently on loan from Notts.

Lewis Carr is another central defender, who came from Grantham in 2016. He played for Stamford and Quorn too, after a spell at Cambridge Utd.

Midfield or wing suits Harvey Grice, another former Forest youngster who joined Alfreton on his release. He had a months loan at Basford back in February, before making it permanent in July.

Seth Patrick is a new signing, a central midfielder who played junior football with Northampton Town and in Germany with Schwanheim and Vfb Lubeck . He joined St Ives on his return to the UK before a spell in Scotland with Brechin City.

Defender Stern Irvine was another Notts County Junior. He came do Basford in May after spending last season at Ilkeston.

Yet another ex Notts Junior is Owen Betts, who arrived in 2020 after loans at Dover Athletic and Worksop.

Riece Bertram was another summer arrival from Belper Town. He was at Basford in 2016 too, but has also played for Carlton, Matlock and Ilkeston.

Striker Tyreece Palmer came on loan from Notts County in January, but he has now made his stay permanent for this season and also had spell at Melton Town.

Midfielder Courey Grantham has been with the club for seven years, since coming from Heanor Town. He has also played for Ilkeston and was loaned to Hednesford last season.

Ollie Clark is another midfielder, signed from Carlton in January 2021, but has been out of action for much of his time with the club due to injury.

Defender Jordan Haywood has come through the Academies at both Scunthorpe and Mansfield before joining Basford, but has also been loaned to Newark and Eastwood Community. Nathaniel Peters was also at Mansfield and both played a major part in our visitors FA Youth Cup run.

Striker Wayde Hines was a Forest Junior, who arrived at Basford last season. He also had a loan spell at Grantham.

Mitchell Tait is a young left back signed from Ilkeston last December.

Midfielder Lynden Joyce has also come through Basford’s junior ranks, along with strikers Lui Bull and Tyler Dacres.

The game kicks off at 7.45 pm, the bar will be open, food on site and your attendance would be more than welcome.